‘Phar’ Jack Jenkins has an omen bet for punters when he steps out for his first fight of 2025 at UFC 312 in Sydney next month.
Epimelesan exciting horse he owns a share in, is set to resume the day before in the Autumn Classic at Caulfield and the rising featherweight contender is hoping they both leave their respective contests as a winner.
“It’s got to be the double of the weekend for sure,” Jenkins said.
“I’ll try my best to keep the fight on the feet and produce a big knock-out and hopefully Epimeles gets the job done the day before.
“It’s a great fight for me and it’s a really exciting fight for the fans.”
Jenkins’ scheduled bout against Brazilian prospect Gabriel Santos will either be the featured fight on the prelims or the opener on the main card.
And while that means it will be the biggest moment in Jenkins’ UFC career, he admits he’s more nervous for the three-year-old’s first-up contest.
Epimeles is set to resume next month (Image: Reg Ryan / Racing Photos)
“I imagine I’ll be more nervous for the race than the fight,” Jenkins said.
“But having said that, it’s going to be a nice distraction to keep my mind off the fight for a couple of hours.
“A few of the other owners are coming up to watch the fight so it will be nice to sit down with them the day before the fight and watch that to keep my mind off it.”
Just a veteran of four starts, Epimeles had an underwhelming spring campaign when on a path towards the Caulfield Guineas but did have excuses.
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained colt copped a severe check when turning for home in the McKenzie Stakes and had a stomach bug a start later in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude.
Jenkins says the galloper is likely on a path towards the Australian Guineas and points to the form out of the Anzac Day Stakes as a yardstick going forward.
“I’d imagine he’d be on an Australian Guineas path but they will take it one step at a time with him,” Jenkins said.
“It was disappointing the way the spring went but if you go back further, the horse (Yaldi) we beat in the Anzac Day Stakes went back to New Zealand and won an Auckland Guineas.
“Feroce came out of that race as well and went on to run second in the Caulfield Guineas so there’s good form all around him.”
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